Tourism stakeholders of Apsyrtides become tourists in their destination

With the aim of getting to know the islands, the Tourist Board of the Town of Mali Lošinj organizes one-day educational trips for tourism stakeholders during March...

Author  Goran Rihelj

2. March 2023.

With the aim of getting to know the islands, the Tourist Board of the Town of Mali Lošinj organizes during March one-day educational trips za tourism stakeholders entitled "Meet Apsyrtides".

By the way, the name Apsyrtides is the old name for both islands - Cres and Lošinj. The Cres-Lošinj archipelago was called in ancient times by the common name Apsyrtides. The name is related to the legend of the mythical hero Apsyrt. In the long past, the islands of Cres and Lošinj formed a whole, but due to the needs of trade and the Amber Road, they were separated by an artificially dug channel near Osor.

As banal as this excursion may seem, it is actually extremely crucial for the destination. The local population, as well as everyone who is directly involved in tourism, especially accommodation providers, must be familiar with their destination and what the destination offers to guests through content. 

It is especially crucial that the stakeholders in tourism themselves see and experience every attraction, content, restaurant, etc., so that they can tell and recommend to guests what to see and experience in the destination from their personal experience. 

So on the first weekend in March (March 4), participants travel to Belo, where they will visit the Eco Center and see the place itself. Followed by refreshments at Tramuntani Pension and departure for Filozići. This is followed by a visit to Art Farm Filozići and a walk through the famous Tramuntana forest.

11. March we are back on the island of Cres, where a tour of Valuna is planned and the location and permanent home of the famous Valunska plata. This is followed by a tour of the essential oil distillery - OPG Kučić, modeled after the first distillery in these areas - Linardić from Martinšćica, otherwise the first industrial production on the island that sold its products worldwide and did business with the most famous pharmaceutical company a hundred years ago.

Beliautor igor dorotic
Photo: Beli - Author Igor Dorotić / Source: TZ Mali Lošinj

Those interested can get to know the rich maritime tradition of the island of Lošinj 18. March when it is scheduled "Walk tour".  The tour starts from Škverići, the Lošinj captains' waterfront to the interpretation navigation center of the maritime heritage of the island of Lošinj - Loger Nerezinca. The path then leads to the birthplace of the famous Lošinj sailor, two-time Olympic winner and three-time world champion in sailing in the Star class - Agostin Straulin.

The tour continues via Velopin to the Čikat cove and the Annunziata votive church, from where women and families saw off their sailors on long voyages. Just as a symbol of tradition, love and loyalty, near the church, the tour ends with the artistic sculpture "ADDIO", dedicated to the women of Lošinj seamen.

last saturday March 25 is reserved for visiting the island of diversity - Unije and its sights.  The older name of the island Nia probably comes from (he) neios, which means "field" in Greek, and refers to a fertile field, so the tour starts exactly at Unijski polje. The path leads to the Vnetak lighthouse and the Bijele stijene viewpoint, continues to the beautiful Maračuol bay and ends in the port.

"Excursions and projects like this are extremely important for the destination. Residents, as well as tourism stakeholders, must be familiar with their destination and what it has to offer so that they can tell and recommend to guests what to see and experience in the destination from their personal experience. ambassadors of our tourism, we are the ones who are in direct contact and interaction with guests", according to the director of TZG Mali Lošinj, Dalibor Cvitković.

We are ambassadors of our tourism, especially accommodation providers who are in direct contact and interaction with guests. A first-hand recommendation is always the best recommendation. Tourist stakeholders and local residents are the best ambassadors of the destination because they are in direct contact with guests. 

This is not the first time that educational trips are organized for tourism stakeholders on Lošinj, and that the whole story has an effect, Cvitković revealed in our recent interview

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"We started with five trips where we introduced the renters to the attractions and sights of Cres and Lošinj. So the renters went with us to a certain location where the director of an institution or the head of the center would receive them and introduce them to their activities. Our goal was for the renters to get first-hand information about all localities so that they could later recommend them to guests. I can say that the reactions were great. For example, we were in Osor, where renters could experience a virtual walk with VR glasses through the Osor Time Machine. That year, we saw that the traffic Osora increased, which means that the landlords recommended this content to their guests." points out Cvitković. Read the entire conversation with the former in the attachment. 

The excursions are organized by the Tourist Board of the Town of Mali Lošinj, and will be led by tour guide Irena Dlaka. Anyone interested can apply until the Thursday before each trip, and the departure is from Mali Lošinj in the morning.

By the way, Apsyrtides as a brand is already used in tourist promotion. 

An excellent project was created last year in cooperation between the Tourist Boards of the Town of Mali Lošinj and the Town of Cres Via Apsyrtides, a system of pedestrian bypasses which connect and present the natural and cultural attractions of the islands, in the center of which is a long transversal path 150km which stretches from the northernmost point of the island of Cres, Cape Jablanca to the southernmost point of the island of Ilovik, Cape Radovan.

As a year-round tourist product, it is predicted that in the first years it will attract several thousand visitors who will walk the entire route or at least certain sections. And I'm sure he will.

Via Apsyrtides can become one of the main reasons for coming to Lošinj and Cres in pre- and post-season. You can find out more about the entire Via Apsyrtides project in the attachment. 

Cover photo: ADDIO - a sculpture dedicated to the women of Lošinj sailors, author Sandro Tariba / TZ Mali Lošinj

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Author  Goran Rihelj

2. March 2023.